Joanna Regulska

Expanding political space for women in Poland: An analysis of three communities

Abstract The paper argues that Polands emerging democracy has yet to open political space for women. Through an analysis of three case study communities, the authors that Polands political culture—whether communist or democratic—cannot be relied on to ensure womens equal participation. Formal mechanisms of power continue to favor the experience of men. By focusing on the ignored context of womens local activism, the study draws attention to the barriers and opportunities for women and how these barriers play out differently in which political cultures are similar yet distinct.

Decentralization or (Re)Centralization: Struggle for Political Power in Poland

The author argues that in Poland the 1989 commitment to political and administrative decentralization has weakened over the last seven years and has resulted in (re)centralizing tendencies. It is argued that the centers interest in gaining short-term political successes rather than engaging in long-term reforms fostered the retention of past centralized practices and the emergence of new (re)centralizing tendencies. This has been accomplished by the central state through application of three sets of forces: (1) fiscal, (2) political, and (3) systemic (preservation of the past). The first part of the paper lays out a theoretical framework for analysis of pressures and barriers to decentralization and (re)centralization. The second is an examination of the process of implementation in Poland, of local government and public administration reform over the period 1989–96. The third is an examination of (re)centralization processes in the context of political and fiscal forces as well as the inability of the center to reform itself and terminate the legacy of the past system in its multidimensional form (legal, institutional, territorial). The author concludes by asserting that, although clear (re)centralizing tendencies can be identified, Polish (re)centralization is characterized by the duality of the struggle: to move forward with the reforms and to dismantle the remnants of the past centralized system. Therefore, although Polish (re)centralization may appear similar in form, it differs in terms of causes from countries that are not subject to political and economic restructuring.

“Post”-Conflict Displacement: Isolation and Integration in Georgia

The Abkhaz civil wars and continuing territorial conflicts in Georgia have resulted in the long-term displacement of more than 200,000 people since the early 1990s. Although the international and local discourse is about integrating internally displaced persons (IDPs), little research has documented the meaning of isolation or integration for the daily lives of the IDPs or the local population. We engage the discourse about integration and isolation by analyzing the composition, size, and density of social networks in the “post”-conflict environment and the socio-spatial characteristics of social interactions and social networks. We combine a formal social network analysis with a daily path analysis to explore how socio-spatial patterns are formative of social networks and explore how various demographic factors, including gender, dwelling status, and employment status, may be related to the nature of social interactions and social networks. Our results are initially puzzling and suggest the need to rethink the meaning of isolation and integration within postconflict situations. We had expected to find greater diversity of social interactions in both populations, especially IDPs in private accommodations, because they are generally thought to have more diverse social interactions. The social network and daily path analyses, however, suggest evidence of social isolation within social networks among the entire population, not only among IDPs. We find a high degree of social isolation in two ways: (1) the persistent dominance of family and kin in all social networks and (2) highly dense (or closed) social networks in the entire population across gender, dwelling, and migrant status. The only demographic factor that appears to distinguish patterns is whether an individual engages in income-generating activity. Finally, using narrative interviews, we also explore the meaning of integration and isolation during displacement in the Georgian context.

URBAN DEVELOPMENT UNDER SOCIALISM: THE POLISH EXPERIENCE

Considering cities as reflections of larger economic and social forces, evolution of the urban fabric is determined by change in political and economic structures. This paper examines the influence of socialist ideology upon urban development in Poland since the restructuring of social and production relations that took place 40 years ago. It specifically focuses on explaining reasons for the development of gaps between theoretical tenets and the practical outcomes of Polish spatial policy. lt is argued that spatial conflicts and social dissatisfaction emerged from internal contradictions among economic developmental priorities, policy making, and management systems. Development of urban space was determined not by disregard for urban goals but by inability to implement them.

THE EMERGENCE OF POLITICAL AND CIVIL SOCIETIES IN WARSAW: POST-1989 DILEMMAS

This paper explores forms of citizen participation in building a democratic society in post-1989 Warsaw. It explores the role of citizens in decision-making processes in local government, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), informal groups, and protest organizations. It points to discrepancies in the formal establishment of participatory channels in Warsaw and to the actual impediments for citizens trying to take full advantage of them. It also reviews citizen engagement in politics through neighborhood councils and ponders the effects this engagement has on the ideological and spatial formation of civil society. This paper argues for the necessity and importance of separation between political society and civil society in Poland. Finally, it analyzes the complex relations that civil society has developed with local and national governments and international institutions. [Key words: citizen participation, post-socialist Warsaw, civil society, political society, decision-making processes, NGOs.]

Decentralization or deconcentration: struggle for political power in poland (1)

This paper argues that the 1989 commitment to political and administrative decentralization has weakened over five years. As the point that it has become a rhetorical formula voiced by the governing political leadership when convenient, but in reality never realized. Two sets of factors contributed to such a state of affairs: (1) the inability of the center to reform itself, and (2) centers increasing commitment to regain the power lost over the last few years. The first part of the paper lays a theoretical framework for analysis of pressures and barriers to decentralize. Second, examines the process of implementing in Poland, of local government and public administration reform over the 1989-1995 period. Finally, the third analyzes in detail the three most significant forces that central states utilized to gain control: (1) political; (2) power resources and (3) fiscal. It concludes by asserting that beyond 1990, while much of the program has been achieved in designing legislative and territorial aspect...

Women, politics and place: Spatial patterns of representation in New Jersey

Abstract In studying women in local government, the authors argue for giving a greater emphasis to the characteristics of places which elect women rather then focusing solely on economic or psychological/anthropological factors. This hypothesis is tested by examining the characteristics of municipalities which are more likely to elect women to local governmental offices. The authors conclude that the rapid economic and social changes found in new centers of economic control (‘growth corridors’) located outside of the old urban centers in New Jersey create an environment with greater opportunities for womens participation in the political process.

Displacing Blame: Georgian Internally Displaced Person Perspectives of the Georgia–Abkhazia Conflict

This article analyzes the views of Georgians, focusing primarily on those displaced from Abkhazia, and examines who they blame for the Georgia–Abkhazia conflict and what they think about Abkhazians. How groups assign blame affects the potential for reconciliation. Very different justifications are offered by those affected by conflict. These discourses of legitimation help to explain the conflict, and provide a narrative for the hostilities/war. For Georgian internally displaced persons, the blame for the conflict falls on Russia. For Abkhazians, the blame is placed on Georgians. Although both discourses are different, they each displace blame from themselves and their own agency and actions that played a significant role in the conflict, as well as in some of the atrocities that have been documented to have taken place on both sides.

Population flows in an international context.

The authors feel that geography courses have been remiss in examining migration in its international context and in discussing its global implications. They have constructed this 6-lecture teaching module that addresses the economic, political, and social ramifications of international migration, in addition to the geographical dimension. The module is geared to undergraduate studies in human, social, or population geography, sociology, economics, and political science. Each of the lectures outlined includes special topics for emphasis, supplementary audiovisual materials, and suggested readings. Lectures include: 1) The Importance and Global Effects of International Population Flows; 2) Guest Workers -- Migration of People with Limited Skills; 3) Brain Drain -- Migration of Highly Skilled Professionals; 4) Political Causes of International Migration: Refugee Movement; 5) Refugee Women -- Displaced Majority; and 6) Comparison of Immigration and Refugee Policy in the US and Canada.

Democracy and Technology

Does access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) reshape the meaning, understanding, and practices of democracy? Will citizens feel less alienated, and will they become more engaged? This chapter focuses on two dimensions of ICTs, cyberdemocracy and e-government, to illustrate how the spread of ICTs in central and east Europe has begun to impact democratic practices and democratic communications. While successful participatory initiatives are few, nevertheless the countries in these region have begun to create mechanisms which allow individuals and groups to enter virtual political space.